Dr. Avery Lee Glenn

Avery Lee Glenn died peacefully at his Provo, Utah, home on July 21, 2014, from causes related to leukemia. He was born July 2, 1929, in La Grande, Ore., to Howard C. Glenn and Dorothea Harrison. He graduated from Union High School in Oregon and attended Brigham Young University on a music scholarship. While attending BYU he met Marjorie Lynn from Lovell and they were married on June 6, 1950, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Avery graduated from BYU in 1951 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in music. He taught music in Deaver and Byron during his first five years of teaching, while earning a Master of Music degree from the University of Oregon. In 1956 he accepted a teaching position in Billings, where he taught band and was appointed Supervisor of Music for the Billings Public Schools in 1967. While in Billings, he organized the State Music Festival, served as president of the Montana Music Educators Association and Northwest Division MEA and served on the MEA National Conference board.

He was assistant professor of music at BYU from 1971-74, where he taught music education classes and supervised student teachers. He served as president of Young Audiences Incorporated to provide concerts for Utah County elementary schools. In 1974, he became the Music Education Specialist for the Utah State Office of Education. He received a Doctorate in Education from BYU. While at the State Office of Education, he received awards from the High School Activities Association, Congress of Parent Teachers and Utah Music Educators Association.

Upon retirement in 1994, Avery was honored by BYU as a distinguished alumnus during homecoming week. In 2010, the Utah MEA nominated him to their Hall of Fame. The Utah High School Activities Association nominated him to their Circle of Fame.

His favorite music was jazz, and he played piano in dance bands in high school, college and throughout his career. He enjoyed training teachers and helping them to be successful in their classrooms. As the “Music Man,” he could play most any instrument.

He and Marjorie served at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Training Center and Temple Square. He fulfilled many church callings: gospel doctrine teacher, bishop, high councilman and counselor in the UVSC Stake Presidency. In his later years, he enjoyed serving in the Provo LDS Temple and playing piano for primary children.

Avery’s greatest love was his family. Marjorie, his eternal companion of 56 years, died in 2006. He is survived by children Michael Lee (Diann) Glenn, of Midway, Utah, Pamela (Gordon) Tolley, of Morgan, Utah, and Debra (Donny) Osmond of Provo, Utah; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Clayton (Blanche) Glenn of South Jordan, Utah, and Patrick (Vivian) Edvalson of Richland, Wash., and sister Judy (Jim) Thompson of Yakima, Wash.

Funeral services were held on July 26 at the Edgemont South Stake Center in Provo, with a viewing prior to the service at the same location. Interment took place at the East Lawn Cemetery in Provo under the direction of Walker Sanderson Mortuary, Orem, Utah. Friends and family may offer condolences at www.walkersanderson.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the LDS General Missionary Fund are requested.